204 YARD AND GARDEN 



vance of the planting. While it is sometimes 

 thought that tulips may be planted as late as 

 December, it is never advisable, except in the 

 South, to postpone to so late a date the work 

 of setting out the bulbs; they require time to 

 develop their roots before winter sets in and 

 puts a stop to the process. In preparing the 

 bed, elevate it slightly and slope it from the cen- 

 ter toward the edges so that good drainage 

 will be insured. Tulips, like hyacinths, should 

 be planted on a cushion of sand and should be 

 set about five inches apart and covered with 

 not less than four inches of good soil. After 

 the beds are made, firm the earth to prevent 

 its heaving by the action of the frost. When 

 a slight freezing has hardened the surface soil 

 to a depth of an inch or two, cover the beds 

 with leaves or litter. 



When tulip bulbs are planted in the borders 

 — where they always appear to great ad- 

 vantage — they may be left in the ground un- 

 disturbed for several seasons, but when they 

 are planted in beds which, after the tulips 

 have bloomed, are to receive summer-flower- 

 ing plants, the bulbs should be removed, dried, 

 and stored away to be planted the following 

 autumn. They should not bQ lifted, however, 



